विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

146
appropriate devotions. Having one day travelled a long
stage, they rested for awhile, during which time they noticed
at a distance a large lake, and on its bank a small hut of
peculiar construction, which excited their curiosity, and they
determined to visit it. Accordingly, they drew near to it,
and found that it was inhabited by an old hermit, who had
lived in that spot for a period of twelve years. He was a
venerable and devout-looking personage, and when they
entered he was just in the act of rising from his devotions.
They prostrated themselves at his feet, and besought his
benediction, which having bestowed, he raised them from
their humble posture and bade them be seated. He enquired
after their health, where they came from, and their object
in travelling towards such a retired spot. The two youths
did not hesitate to make themselves known, and the reason
which had led them to leave their respective homes. The
hermit listened to their story very attentively, and finding
that one of his visitors was the son of the king of Rutnapoory,
he wished to be informed if he could be of any service to a
person of so noble and exalted a rank, and in what manner
he could accommodate him. They told him that all they
required of him was, to be allowed to take up their residence
with him for four months, until the rainy season should
cease, and that they would then cease to incommode him, by
resuming their travels. The hermit at once gladly consented,
and assured them that, as far as it lay in his power, nothing
should be wanting to make them comfortable. He then
conducted them into an inner room, and having spread food
before them, he retired, and left them to refresh themselves
after their journey. He also had their horses well fed,
watered, and housed. During their stay with the hermit
their time was well employed. He was frequently visited
by devout and religious men from all quarters, from whose
conversation they derived substantial instruction. He him-
self, being a man of learning, often spent some hours with
them, and greatly assisted them in their studies.
"At length the four months of their sojourn were fast

147

drawing to a close, and the two youths regretted, as did the
hermit, their approaching separation. The day, however,
arrived on which they were to part, perhaps never more to
meet, and the old man was as much affected as were his
youthful friends. He gave them every needful direction
regarding the road they were to take. At the distance of
about twenty-four yojuns from the hermit's dwelling there
were two roads—one to the left and one to the right. He
advised them to follow the one to the right, the other being
difficult and hazardous. The one he advised them to take
he said they would find easy and safe, and on it they would
meet with every accommodation for travellers and strangers,
which was not the case with the other. On leaving, the
hermit presented the prince with a small sword, telling him
that if it should at any time be put into the fire until it
became red-hot, he would certainly be in imminent danger,
unless somebody should cool it; for that, although he
might have it within his grasp, some enemy would rush
upon him, overpower him, and finally prove victorious.
‘Remember,’ said the hermit, by way of concluding his
observations, ‘Remember, these are my last words!’ He
then bestowed his parting blessing upon them, and they in
return paid him much reverence. Having gratefully
acknowledged his kindness, and rendered suitable thanks,
expressing at the same time their regret that they had
not the means of making him a more substantial return,
they proceeded on their journey.
“In a few days they came to the spot where the two
roads the hermit had alluded to branched off in opposite
directions. Here they laid themselves down under a shady
tree, to refresh themselves before they proceeded any further
on their way. After awhile, the prince proposed that they
should take the road to the left, but his companion did not
agree to it, and reminded him of the caution they had
received from the hermit. The prince was obstinate. ‘I
would know,’ said he, ‘what perils and difficulties are to be
encountered upon it, and when once satisfied on that point,

148

we will return, if you wish it, and take the other road. I
fear no danger, but with the hermit's blessing I feel myself
equal to anything. Be of good cheer, friend Hurridass,
and let us at once go forward.' Hurridass tried to dissuade
the prince, but it was in vain, and it was therefore finally
resolved to follow the prince's proposition, though only with
the passive consent of the minister's son.
“They had not proceeded far when they came to an
immense and dark forest, where numberless trees of gigantic
growth raised their towering heads to the skies; birds of
various shapes, colours, and species, were perched thereon;
the wild roarings of the forest denizens, inspiring terror at
every step, were occasionally heard; whilst venemous
reptiles met the eye in every direction. No human being
could be discerned save the two youths. They made all
speed to pass this forest ere the clouds of night should over-
take them, and they shortly after arrived at a desert, which
having crossed, they beheld, with extreme astonishment, a
huge giant, of frightful appearance and most ferocious
countenance, seated at the foot of a rock. They gazed on
a figure of such unusual proportions with feelings of the
most profound awe. His large and fiery eyes were fiercely
rolling, his tongue protruded, and a tusk, like that of a boar,
was visible on either side of his immense mouth. His
nostrils emitted the most noxious effluvia, and his saliva
streamed down his chin. His ears were like two flapping
wings, and he presented altogether a most hideous and
fiendish appearance. The two youths thought to escape his
notice, but the monster, observing them, walked up, and in
a voice of thunder bade them stop, adding that he was lucky
in obtaining so unusually good and plentiful a meal, and
that he would not on any account allow himself to be
baulked of it, as he was voraciously hungry. He then
eyed them separately, as if debating within himself which
of them he should first devour, when the prince, addressing
him in a firm and resolute manner, said, ‘What mean you,
wretch? Think you we will permit you to feed upon us,

149
mighty as you appear to be, and as you no doubt think
yourself? Attempt to approach but another step, and
you will find out your mistake.' At these words from the
prince, the giant became much enraged, and, gnashing his
teeth in fury, at once advanced, with a view of putting his
threat into execution, on which the prince nimbly stepped
back, and, drawing his sword, inflicted a heavy blow on the
monster's leg, which made him fall to the ground with a
tremendous crash. He was severely wounded, and soon
fainted from loss of blood. Recovering his senses, however,
in a short time, the pain from his wound caused him to
utter shriek after shriek, which resounded throughout the
forest. He then rose from the ground, and, foaming with
rage, stood throwing large stones at the prince, who broke
them in pieces with his sword. The giant, while consider-
ing what he should next do, made another effort to reach
the prince, but his foot slipped in the attempt, and he fell
once more to the ground. The prince, now finding that
the giant experienced some difficulty in rising, thought it
prudent to wait no longer, but to ensure his own safety and
that of his companion by taking the life of the giant. He
stepped up to him accordingly, and buried his sword to the
hilt in his body. This, however, did not kill him at once;
and, whilst yet struggling in the grasp of death, he raked
together a quantity of stones, and threw them with such
violence and precision at the prince, that the latter with
great difficulty managed to avoid them. At last the mon-
ster began to grow faint: he rolled over as he lay, and
never stirred more, for just then Sewdass again approached
him and stabbed him to the heart, when he immediately
expired.
"While the prince was thus engaged, his friend Hurri-
dass, who took no part whatever in the combat with the
giant, was engaged at a short distance in supplicating the
aid of heaven for success to his friend the prince, on whose
courage and skill their lives depended. He was yet in
prayer, when he heard a voice exclaiming—'Victory!

150
victory! victory! to the brave Prince Sewdass and his
companion Hurridass!'
"The giant, a short time previously, had brought from
the city of Single Dwip* a lady of noble birth and extreme
beauty, who, on hearing the strange noise of the combat, and
the terrific shrieking of the giant, had ventured from her
rocky dwelling to ascertain the cause. She was greatly
alarmed at witnessing the sanguinary battle which was
taking place, but she privately and earnestly prayed to the
Supreme Being that the charming prince might prove the
victor, and she shortly had the gratification of seeing the
ruthless tyrant expire. As soon as the victory was decided,
Hurridass hastened to meet the prince, and, after mutual
congratulations, they embraced each other, thanking God
for their safe deliverance. In the mean time the prince had
descried the lady above alluded to, and became smitten with
her beauty, she herself being not untouched by the prince's
manly appearance and handsome proportions. The prince
was so struck with the sight of such unequalled and
surpassing beauty, that he would have fallen to the ground
in a swoon, had not Hurridass supported him. This sudden
effect on the nerves of the prince agitated his friend greatly,
and he began to fear that it was perhaps the result of their
disobedience to their parents, for he concluded it was the
effect of the encounter with the giant. Hurridass busied
himself in endeavouring to revive the prince by fanning his
face with the skirt of his garment, and having at last
succeeded in his efforts, he besought him to compose him-
self, and advised him at once to leave the scene of blood.
'Hurridass!' cried the prince, 'I cannot believe that I am
the same man I was but a moment since! My heart has
received a wound—such a wound as I cannot well
describe! I am bewildered!—What ails me?—Oh, this
wound!' and he swooned away a second time. Hurridass
could not comprehend all this, and when the prince came
to himself again, he asked him what was the matter,—

• The island of Ceylon.

151

whether he had been wounded by his adversary the giant,
or whether he was suffering from any other cause, as yet
unknown to him. ‘Ah! my good Hurridass,’ said the
prince, ‘did you but know what I feel—the anguish I now
endure—you would indeed pity me. Look yonder, friend,’
continued he, pointing to the lady, who was now nearly
abreast of them, ‘look yonder, and you will discern the
object which causes me so much pain and anguish of mind.’
Hurridass looked round, and perceived an incomparably
beautiful lady, stretched on the ground in the same helpless
condition as that from which the prince had just recovered.
The mystery was at once cleared up,—Hurridass knew what
troubled his companion Sewdass so much. ‘Prince,’ said
he, ‘my dear and tried friend!—restrain your passion, and
be of good cheer! You will soon, I feel certain, be master
of the object which seems to have so suddenly and power-
fully affected you.’ ‘Did you see that beautiful form—
that angelic creature?’ enquired the prince; ‘where, oh
where is she?—whither has she gone?’ A dizziness here
came over the prince, and he seemed to lose sight of her.
‘Seek for her, dear Hurridass, and bring her hither, I
beseech you!’ These and other hasty expressions escaped
from him, which greatly alarmed his friend and companion,
who began to think that he was not in his right senses. At
last the prince spoke more sensibly, and, rising from the
ground, he accompanied Hurridass to the spot where the
idol of his heart still lay. They were exceedingly alarmed
to find her insensible, the violence of her passion for the
prince having had the same effect upon her as it had upon
him. Seeing the deplorable condition she was in, Sewdass
was moved to tears, and groaned piteously. ‘Wipe away
these tears, which so ill become a man,’ said Hurridass;
‘why are you so weak as to allow yourself to be thus
agitated? Compose yourself, and I will endeavour to bring
the lady to life, and also try to ascertain the true cause of
her indisposition.’ The prince strived to subdue his grief,
and besought Hurridass to assist the lady—to bring some

152

water to bathe her temples—and to ascertain if possible who
and what she was, and where she had come from. Hurri-
dass immediately set about executing the prince's orders :
he advanced nearer to the lady, to do which he had to enter
the rent in the rock which led to the giant's dwelling.
What was his surprise when, instead of a gloomy cavern,
he found himself at the entrance of a spacious hall, splen-
didly furnished, and showing every sign of having been in
the occupation of persons of taste and refinement! Thither
he carried the still insensible lady, and beckoned the prince
to follow. The cave was evidently the work of man : it was
in the form of a vault, the light being obtained through an
aperture in the cavity on the opposite side of the entrance.
Hurridass went further in, and seeing a basin of solid gold
on a stool, he filled it with water from a spring in the rock,
and sprinkled the face of the lady, after which he bathed
her temples. She slowly recovered, and, on looking about
her, gazed fixedly at the prince; then, turning to Hurri-
dass, she expressed her thanks to him in the most flattering
terms. 'I do not know how to thank you,' said she ; 'I
am under great obligation to you and to your brave com-
panion. But for you, I fear I should never have been
restored to consciousness. I shall not, I trust, prove
ungrateful.' Hurridass replied by a low bow, and begged
to be informed how he could be of further service to her.
She thanked him anew, and invited him and the prince to
an inner apartment, where she soon had a sumptuous
repast laid before them, of which they heartily partook.
The lady then entered into conversation with them, enquir-
ing as to their journey—whence they had come, and by
what singular chance they had arrived at that place,—' for,'
continued she, 'since I have lived here I have not once until
to-day beheld a human face !' The sweet tone in which
she spoke, and her polite manners, were not lost on the
prince or his companion. The latter said, 'Oh, princess!—
rare and unequalled being !—before I proceed to answer
your enquiries, give me leave to express the satisfaction we

153
both feel—myself and the companion of my travels, my
bosom friend—at this unexpected and delightful interview
with you. We trust it may tend to secure your happiness,
and that of your humble servants now before you.' He
then entered into a brief history of himself and the prince,
and communicated all that it was desirable to do. The
princess, after hearing the whole, addressed them thus:—
'Prince Sewdass, and you, good Hurridass, behold before
you an unfortunate virgin, the offspring of noble parents,
who are at present residing toward the south, at a place
called Single Dwip. I am called Moheeny. The giant you
have slain decoyed me from home, and then forcibly con-
veyed me hither. I fainted as he carried me away in his
monstrous and fiendish arms, and when I came to my senses
I found myself incarcerated in this dreary cavern. 'To add
to my grief, the monster endeavoured by every means to
make me love him. I have been here for some days, and
as I constantly remained in my own apartment of the cave,
he never once asked me to share his bed. How lucky for
me has it proved that you chanced to journey this way,
and have thus been the means of saving me from ruin and
death! I was suddenly awakened, during the encounter of
the prince with the giant, by a loud shriek, which filled me
with great fear. I sallied forth from my apartment, and,
from the summit of the rock, witnessed the combat. The
joy I experienced at the fall of the giant I cannot well
express.' Saying this, she advanced towards the prince,
and threw herself at his feet, but he raised her again imme-
diately. She then approached Hurridass with the same
intention, but he begged her to forbear. Both the prince
and Hurridass were deeply moved at the recital of her tale:
while they admired her beauty and accomplishments, they
pitied her cruel fate.
"Things were not, however, to remain thus long. She
felt that she could no longer smother her passion for the
prince. It must be divulged. She could not refrain from
commending his valour, and extolling him above all the
U

154

heroes of his age. He, on his part, became more and
more enamoured of the lovely girl : not only did her
personal charms captivate him, but her mental acquirements
were also of the highest order. The prince went out for
awhile, and Moheeny availed herself of the opportunity to
declare her passion for him to Hurridass. ‘Oh !’ said she,
‘how happy should I be could I but continually be with
him! It was my sudden and irresistible passion for him
which reduced me to the condition in which you found me.
I belong to a country very remote from this, and it would
be an abuse of his goodness to ask him to travel thither;
neither is it my wish to do so. I have made up my mind
never more to visit it. If the prince will agree to live
with me here, nothing shall be wanting on my part to
render his stay comfortable, and suitable to his rank and
position ; and, should he hereafter wish it, I shall be
prepared to set out with him to the uttermost corner of the
earth!’ She concluded by requesting Hurridass to inter-
cede for her with the prince, in order that their union
might be confirmed and their nuptials celebrated by himself.
All this the latter communicated to Sewdass on his return,
who, not a little elated, gave a joyful consent. The rite of
Gundhervivahu* was accordingly performed by Hurridass the
very next day, and Moheeny became the wife of Sewdass.
The following morning they all three met together, and were
greatly delighted at the aspect of affairs.
“Soon after these events, Hurridass expressed a desire
that their travels might be resumed, and he entreated the
prince to accompany him by the right-hand road, as advised
by the hermit. Sewdass begged to be excused, as his health,
he said, would not permit him to undertake so long a
journey. Hurridass, however, concluded that he was too
much taken up with his beautiful partner to be persuaded
to leave her; he therefore resolved upon prosecuting the
journey alone. The prince regretted much that his friend

• Marriage by mutual consent of the parties, without reference to
  parents or others.

155
and fellow-traveller should proceed without him, but he
was still more disinclined to part from his wife ; they had no
alternative, therefore, but to separate. The prince embraced
Hurridass, and begged him to visit them without fail within
four months, which Hurridass promised to do ; and at
length, having partaken of a hasty repast, he saddled his
horse and departed, amidst many expressions of kindness
and solicitude from his friends. The prince continued to
live in the cavern with his wife Moheeny.

156
CHAPTER X.
Continuation of Veytal's tale.
" HURRIDASS, while jogging along, remembered the
admonition of his tutor, and prayed to the Almighty to
guide him safely through his journey, and enable him to
fulfil the command given him. He crossed the desert
without mishap, and was pleased when he beheld the tree
at the junction of the two roads, under which he had sat
with his companion. He rested there awhile, and then again
set out. Having travelled about thirty-two yojuns, he
arrived at a meadow, in the centre of which he perceived a
beautiful lake, and on its bank a small thatched hut. He
went up to it, to ascertain whether any one resided there, and
was agreeably surprised to find a venerable hermit seated
within. Hurridass entered, and, prostrating himself at the
feet of the holy man, received his benediction. The hermit
then enquired whence he had come, and what was his
mission. Hurridass satisfied him on these points, and told
him even of the prince and his habitation.
" The hermit was very learned, and a profound thinker,
—well acquainted with all the arts and sciences; he was
also a mild, temperate, and cheerful companion. He seemed
exceedingly pleased with the concluding portion of Hurri-
dass' narrative, and greatly commended him for having
never once lost sight of his tutor's injunction. 'Hurridass,'
said the hermit, 'there are but few who will willingly
undergo such toils and inconveniences for the sake of
obeying their tutors: he who does so, not only pleases the
instructor, but the Almighty also.' After this, the hermit
said he might remain with him as long as he pleased or
wished, assuring him that he would make him as comfort-
able as possible, and teach him some curious and sacred

157
arts, as well as some rare and wonderful charms, such as
were known but to few human beings. Hurridass prostrated
himself a second time, and renewed his thanks; he then
decided on taking up his residence for a time with the
hermit.
"Let us now see how Prince Sewdass fared with his
beloved Moheeny. He was in the enjoyment of ease and
happiness, there being nothing wanting to render a reason-
able mind contented and peaceful. The giant had hoarded
up plenty of provisions and other needful articles, for the
use of Moheeny, before he brought her to the cavern; and
there was a deep river, full of fish, on the side of the moun-
tain, close to the cavern. One day the prince and Moheeny
took a walk together towards this river, and they sat down
on its bank to watch the various fishes sporting before them.
It was indeed a quiet and delicious retreat. As they sat
thus, a sudden movement, as of contention, was observable
among the fish. The prince had, in an affectionate manner,
wound his arm round the princess' neck, which caused the
centre diamond of her necklace, which was of extraordinary
size and brilliancy, to drop into the river, and it was
immediately swallowed by one of the fish. The prince
grieved at the loss of the diamond, and for a time sat
without uttering a word. So sat the princess also,—not in
anger, but in grief. They retired to their dwelling with
heavy hearts, and Sewdass, observing that the princess
appeared unusually out of sorts, which he attributed to the
irritation she felt at her loss, said to her, 'I pray you, let
me know the value of the diamond, and I will endeavour to
replace it.' Moheeny hung down her head, but did not
speak a word in reply, so deeply absorbed was her mind.
The prince continued,—'If a man be once dead, he will
never again return to life: his wife and children may
lament him as much as they please, and even sacrifice their
own lives, in vain. Should an article of small size be
dropped into the ocean, it would be useless seeking for it
there. The pleasure we derive from any one source has its

158

limit : we should not look beyond it, for if we lose it once,
it cannot be regained. Listen to me, dear love,' added the
prince, 'to eat whilst walking, to laugh whilst talking, to be
jealous of others' prospects, to regret losses, to recal the
past, to interrupt the conversation of others, and to be
eavesdropping, are unmistakeable signs of a perverted
understanding. Do not, therefore, my dear Moheeny,
grieve for the loss of the precious stone, but try to calm
yourself.' These words, spoken in the most endearing tone,
helped to clear away the mist of regret that clouded
Moheeny's mind, and to restore her to her usual serenity
and liveliness. It will be here necessary to make a short
digression.
"To the northward, about forty-seven yojuns from the
cave, there was a city called Hempoory, the ruling monarch
of which was named Kankameroo. The city covered an
extent of some seven yojuns, and was densely populated.
It pleased the Almighty to cause a great scarcity of water
in the dominions of this king, the largest ponds, wells,
lakes, and rivers being dried up ; the people were conse-
quently obliged to quit their respective localities, and take
up their residence in places where a sufficiency of this
necessary of life was likely to be met with. In this city
also lived a poor and destitute fisherman, with a large
family wholly depending on his unaided exertions. This
family, as may be imagined, was reduced to the most pain-
ful stage of distress by the dearth of water,—in reality they
were but eking out a wretched and miserable existence.
The fisherman happened on one occasion, in pursuit of
his calling, to come to that part of the river where the
diamond had been dropped by Prince Sewdass. Finding
the river well stocked with fish, he thanked God for direct-
ing his steps to the spot, and then cast in his net. When
he drew it up, he found it well filled, so he cast it a second
time, and was favored with another large draught of fish,
among which he found one far excelling the others in beauty
and brilliancy,—in fact he had never before seen one to be

159
compared to it. This was the fish which had swallowed the
diamond. Having admired it for some time, he deposited
it, with the others, in two baskets, which he slung across
his shoulder, and in this way he went home. He gave
the finest fish to his wife, to be dressed for his dinner,
asking her to have it ready by the time he returned from
the market. The fisherman's wife, on opening the belly of
the fish, found therein the rich diamond, set in gold. Its
brightness dazzled her eyes, and shone through every crevice
in the humble dwelling. The woman had had some ex-
perience in things of this sort, she therefore wrapped up the
jewel in a piece of cloth the instant she found it, lest some
one should see it and deprive her of the treasure. She was
quite elated with the prize; and, as she hastily set about
preparing her husband's dinner, she felt impatient to impart
the joyful tidings to him. When the fisherman returned
from the market, his wife placed his meal before him, and
being hungry, not having had a good dinner for the previous
four or five days, he fell to heartily. When he had ap-
peased his hunger, his wife told him of the diamond she
had found, and he desired her to produce it. As soon as
he saw it, he was struck with amazement at its brilliancy
and evident value, and could not help giving utterance to
an exclamation of joy at the sight of the unexpected wealth
before him, which would render him rich and independent
for the remainder of his life. He knew pretty well the
value of the diamond, and he cautioned his wife not to tell
any one of their good luck. 'God has so bountifully
provided for us,' said he, 'in consideration, doubtless, of
the continued distresses to which we have been subject.' He
told his wife he would take the diamond to the king of the
city, who, being a worthy and good man, would no doubt
reward him liberally. Accordingly, having clad himself in
mean apparel, he placed the diamond in a common plate,
and took it to the palace, where, on presenting himself, he
was asked by one of the attendants what he wanted. He
said he had brought a certain article for his majesty, and

160
begged to be allowed an interview. The attendant reported
the matter to the king, who was pleased to grant the request
of the poor fisherman. The attendant led the way into an
inner apartment, and he followed. Being come before the
king, the fisherman respectfully saluted his majesty, who
asked him what he had brought. 'May it please your
majesty,' said the wily fisherman, 'I am an inhabitant of
this city, where, by severe losses and misfortunes, I have
been reduced to the greatest straits. I have been compelled
to part with every valuable article that was bequeathed to
me by my ancestors, to provide food for myself and family.
This diamond (at the same time presenting the plate to his
majesty) is all I have now left. I thought it best to show
it to your majesty before I offered it for sale elsewhere.'
The diamond was one of a rare kind and of great size: it
shone like a bright meteor, dazzling all who beheld it. The
king was himself no less surprised than the rest. After
admiring it for awhile, he took it in his hand, and, in a
transport of joy, exclaimed, 'You a poor man!—even I, who
am a king, and the possessor of many jewels, have never yet
seen a stone of such beauty and dazzling brightness.'
The king sent for his jewellers to value it, and they too were
amazed at the beauty and size of the precious stone. After
turning it over and examining it for a long time, they pro-
nounced the diamond invaluable. The king immediately
ordered his treasurer to give the owner of the diamond as
much money as he should require, and to preserve the
stone in his royal treasury; in short, he became the pur-
chaser.
“As the king handed it to the treasurer, he observed that
the stone was set in gold, and had evidently formed part of a
lady's neck ornament. He concluded, too, that the person
who had worn it must have been a creature of rare perfec-
tion and beauty. This idea worked in his mind to such a
degree, that he called his prime minister, and made him
acquainted with the fact of his being desperately enamoured
of this unknown lady; ordering him, at the same time, to

161
procure this Pudmini* for him. The minister was
astounded at this unreasonable demand; his duty, however,
was to obey; so he despatched couriers in different direc-
tions, to seek for information, with instructions that if they
found a person answering the description given them, to
bring her without delay to court. The minister himself
proceeded to an island called Jumboo-Dweep,† where a
woman was said to have been seen of such beauty and
qualifications as to entitle her to the designation of Pud-
mini,—at least so the minister was informed. He searched
for her, however, in vain. After his fruitless search he
returned to the city, as did also the couriers from the other
quarters. The king was much grieved to learn the unsuc-
cessful termination of his minister’s journey, which only
added to his passion, instead of in any way tending to lessen
it. His malady increased to such an extent that he
abstained almost altogether from food and rest. The minis-
ter was the only person who during this period conducted
the business of the state; and though he was just and
forbearing, yet the people began to show signs of dissatis-
faction at the continued absence of the king for no other
reason than that he was indulging in a morbid passion for
an unknown person.
“Things were in this state when a widow named Sham-
bae, who was cook to the royal household, hearing of his
majesty’s indisposition, presented herself before him, saying,
‘May it please your majesty, I think I can find a way to
cure you, if you will let me know the cause of your indis-
position,—how your majesty has become so stricken, and
what has made this strong impression upon you.’ The
king gave her a particular account of all that had occurred
to him relative to the diamond he had purchased a short
time ago from, as he thought, a citizen in reduced circum-

• The first of the four classes into which women are said to be
  divided.
  † The central division of the world; according to some, India.
  V

162
stances. The widow possessed a depth of knowledge and
cunning worthy of a statesman, and though she was struck
dumb with surprise for awhile at the monarch's whim, she
requested him to point out the individual from whom he
had purchased the diamond, saying that she would try to
bring about the wishes of the king. The fisherman was
immediately brought before Shambae, who ordered him on
pain of death to inform her truly from whence he had pro-
cured the diamond. He replied, with much trepidation,
that if she would be pleased first to assure him of his
majesty's pardon for the deception he had practised, he
would reveal the truth. ‘Well,’ replied Shambae, ‘I will
secure for you his majesty's pardon, be the circumstances
what they may. Speak fearlessly.’ The fisherman then
told her his adventure, exactly as it had occurred, and what
his profession really was, renewing at the conclusion his
solicitation for the king's clemency. Shambae made him
wait until she returned from the king, to whom she hastened,
and represented the case, saying that the person whom his
majesty had taken for an impoverished citizen was a fisher-
man, and assuring his majesty that he need not be under
any apprehension, for that, if he would rely on her, and
have patience for a few days, she would, by employing her
utmost zeal in his service, afford him the pleasure, and that
very soon, of possessing the object of his love and admira-
tion. She then set out, accompanied by the fisherman, in
search of the place where the fish containing the diamond
had been caught. The fisherman guided her to the spot :
it was a beautiful and charming locality, and the pellucid
stream flowing tranquilly along added to the charms of the
scene. Shambae bade the fisherman leave her, after he
had shown her the exact spot, and while revolving in her
mind what plan to adopt, she happened to cast her eye on
the traces of footsteps on the pathway along which Prince
Sewdass and the lady of the cave had but a short time before
walked. She followed up these footmarks until she came
to the entrance of the cave, which was not very far from

163
the river. Shambae entered, with great hesitation, and was
surprised to find herself in a most delightful and spacious
hall. She advanced a little further, and beheld the beauti-
ful Moheeny seated on a couch, with the prince reclining
negligently by her side. Shambae stood rooted to the
spot, as if spell-bound at so much beauty and perfection.
She dared not and could not advance further, so she made
signs to Moheeny to approach. Moheeny was astonished
also, but her astonishment arose from a different cause to
that of the intruder : she thought only of the audacity of
the woman in venturing at once into the cave, without leave
or warning. Then again she thought it might be some
unfortunate woman who had been bereft of all she possessed
by some of the prowlers of the forest, and who now sought
her help and protection. As this idea crossed her mind,
she rose from her seat and approached the widow, saying,
‘Well, what is your business in this place?’ Shambae
threw herself at the feet of the beauteous lady, and, in the
most piteous and mournful tone, replied, ‘Have pity, oh,
lady!—my good angel, and goddess of beauty! I am a
poor helpless widow: God has left me neither son nor
daughter to be the prop of my old age, which is the cause
of my having determined on seeking for death in this wild
and desolate place, and thus find relief from the cruel grief
which now rends my heart! I thought and believed I
should meet with no human being here, but God has provi-
dentially directed me to this secluded dwelling. I am glad
indeed that I should have the good fortune to come into the
presence of so noble and handsome a lady. I humbly ask
you to keep me in your service. I can cook well, and
perform every domestic duty.’ During this address Sham-
bae made a great show of grief, and shed an abundance of
tears. All this seemed very extraordinary to Moheeny,
though she pitied greatly the distressed object before her.
She told her, however, that the prince her husband was
then asleep, but as soon as he awoke she would ask his
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164
shortly after, and Moheeny then begged him to consent to
her employing the widow, who seemed altogether destitute.
‘Consider,’ replied the prince, ‘we are quite happy in our
secluded home. This woman may perhaps have come here
with no good intention ; if so, we shall have to regret what
you now propose doing,—it may be productive of injury to
us. People are not all so virtuous and good as they them-
selves would fain appear, and therefore cannot always be
expected to speak the truth. We are here living in
content and happiness, and I see no necessity for, this
woman’s being retained in our service. Take my advice,—
do not engage her. If you do, I feel a presentiment that
some harm will befal us, which may not then be remedi-
able.’ The princess, nevertheless, was so urgent in her
entreaties that the prince was compelled to yield, though
much against his will, and the widow’s services were retained.
Shambae was questioned as to her knowledge of cooking,
and other domestic work, and her answers were satisfactory.
On discovering the aversion of the prince to her, the widow
conceived a great and bitter hatred against him, which,
however, she concealed in such a manner that it was not
discovered until too late.
“ One whole month rolled away without anything
unusual occurring to disturb the tranquillity of that peace-
ful home. During this time Shambae diverted her new
mistress with interesting tales and witty anecdotes. In
‘this way she so ingratiated herself into her favor, that the
indiscreet but candid Moheeny related to her the little
history of her meeting with the prince, and of the extent and
sincerity of their love. This was what Shambae longed to
know, and she now found how she could most easily and
effectually injure the prince. Shambae had, previous to
her departure from the palace, procured some poisonous
ingredients of great strength, and she was not long in finding
an opportunity to execute her vile and atrocious purpose.
She one day poisoned the prince’s food, and, owing to the
peculiar flavour of the ingredient used, which, as a matter

165
of course, was imparted to the food with which it was mixed,
the prince partook of his dinner with more than his usual
appetite; but, strange to say, it had no effect beyond that
of intoxicating him. Now, the prince’s Gooru had instruct-
ed him how, by holding the little sword which had been
given him in a peculiar manner, and by pronouncing certain
mystical words, to counteract the effect of any injury which
might be attempted against him. Finding himself, there-
fore, unusually affected in the head, he had recourse to the
sword, and became in a moment perfectly restored. The
widow, who had calculated upon the death of the prince,
was not a little surprised to find him alive and in his usual
health, after the time allowed for the operation of the drug
she had given him had elapsed. She was lost in astonished
conjecture, and could not understand how the prince had
escaped the effect of the potent poison.
“ Baulked in this her first attempt, Shambae redoubled
her efforts to remove the object of her hatred, who was also
the only obstacle to the success of her great project. She
had another plan in her head, and she proceeded to carry
it out. One day, being alone with Moheeny, she addressed
her thus :—‘ I have something to communicate to you,
good lady, which it concerns you much to know, and is of
the utmost importance to you.’ The princess asked her,
with a smile, what it was. ‘ It is this, dear lady,’ said she ;
‘ you fancy, do you not, that your husband loves you with
as much sincerity.and truth as you love him ?’ The happy
Moheeny replied, ‘ Yes; what doubt can there be of it?
He loves me. tenderly, and gives me every day fresh proofs
of his regard.’ ‘ I don’t, however, believe it,’ said the
wily Shambae ; ‘ you know—or if you do not, you ought
to—that men are generally more faithless and hard-hearted
than those of our sex. I thereforo advise you to try his
love. If you think he is not jealous and suspicious of you,
ask him to-night, when you find him in good humour, this
question, ridiculous though it may seem, and you will soon
be undeceived,—“ Pray, when and how will you die ?”